NFL Playoffs: Conference championships

New Orleans at Chicago
New Orleans is one win away from going to the Super Bowl after finishing 3-13 last season. And the Saints unleash their NFL-leading offense (391.5 yards a game in the regular season) against Chicago's injury-plagued defense, which has allowed an average of 25.8 points in its past five outings. That bodes well for QB Drew Brees, his wide array of talented receivers, and RBs Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush. The Bears, meanwhile, have scored at least 23 points in five of their past six games, but QB Rex Grossman has been inconsistent and has trouble when he's under pressure, so expect plenty of blitzes by the Saints.

Prediction: The forecast calls for the temperature to be in the low 30s, with a 90 percent chance of snow (1-2 inches). Definitely favors the Bears. Only one dome team has ever won a Super Bowl (the Rams in 1999) and despite the fact that a road team has taken at least one of the championship games the last nine seasons, New Orleans will struggle away from the friendly confines of home. Winner: Bears.

New England at Indianapolis
New England makes its fourth Super Bowl trip in six seasons if it wins this one, and it has a lot of things in its favor. It has the superior defense (No. 6 in the NFL in the regular season, whereas Indy was No. 21), and is 3-0 in AFC championships with QB Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick at the helm. The Colts' defense has improved immensely during the playoffs, bolstered by the return of safety Bob Sanders, who missed most of the regular season because of a knee injury. Indy has the swagger back and is playing like they did when the team started 9-0 this season.

Prediction: It's tough to go against the track record of the Patriots, but the Colts are playing their best football right now and Peyton Manning and company have won the last two meetings between the teams. Kicker Adam Vinatieri, who won three Super Bowls for the Patriots is now on the enemy sideline and look for him to put the dagger into the back of his old team. Winner: Colts


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